By Carol Brazel, Sep 12 2018 11:52AM

Take a look at this fabulous movie - yes it’s cheesy but we defy anyone not to chuckle. And here’s the good bit: Chloe, the original Salty Dog is sniffing out talent to co-star in the sequel - Dogs on Tour II - Laid-back and Horizontal.

So come on all you pushy parents and give your four-legged friends a shot at the big-time. All you need to do is:

POP OVER to our Facebook page, SHARE the movie then COMMENT your dog’s picture with his/her name and why they should be a movie star.

By Carol Brazel, Aug 3 2018 02:17PM

Whatever the weather and whatever the season Camber Sands, the Romney Marshes and the East Sussex coast are great places to take a break – loads to do and see; loads of great eateries; a cocktail bar in the nearby hotel “The Gallivant” that would give uber-chic West End venues a run for their money; and, of course, just miles and miles of sand.

Whether it’s lazy days soaking up the summer sunshine you’re after or rosy cheeks and bracing winter walks on deserted dunes, Camber’s beach is hard to beat. And dogs never seem happier than when they’re trotting through the surf, chasing balls, hurtling round Camber’s miles of open space or digging for Australia!

At Let’s Unwind we have two modern, comfortable and very well equipped cottages. Our larger one, The Salty Dog, sleeps 6 and our slightly cosier one, Rock Lobster, sleeps 4. Both are available to rent for holidays, long weekends or mid-week mini-breaks. Unlike many other holiday properties we have no fixed change-over days so, availability permitting, our guests can come and go as they please.

Oh, and in case it isn’t already obvious, dogs are most welcome too, with treats and a full water bowl to greet them on arrival. Both cottages have outdoor spa facilities for mucky pups (and children, for that matter) in the form of a tap, hose and shower attachment (too much hype?) and both have fully enclosed gardens, with escape proofing tested by our very own Springer Spaniel, Chloe! Although some doggy restrictions do apply during the peak summer months (May-September), Camber Sands is huge so there is still more than enough of the beach for four-legged friends to enjoy all year round, including the best bit (hang a right at the sea and head for Rye Harbour) and many of our favourite walks.

We have also made it something of a personal crusade to wiffle out great eating and drinking establishments in the locality where humans (with or without furry friends) are warmly welcomed and well looked after. Our expanding waistlines are testament to just how selflessly and seriously we take our market research! The sea air doesn’t half give you an appetite, though, and Cinque Port, medieval town, Rye, just a pebble’s throw from Camber, is awash with great places to indulge – fine dining, pub grub, great seafood and quaint teashops a-plenty. We have also tried out loads of coastal and countryside walks (in part to mitigate the impact of our other market research!) and full details (updated regularly) of all of this hard work can be found in our guest information booklets in both cottages.

Of course, it’s not all about the dogs (our Chloe might beg to differ!). Our human guests (large and small) are very important too. That’s why our cottages are furnished and kitted out to a very high standard - we hold a Visit England Gold Award for both The Salty Dog and Rock Lobster; all our beds are top quality, hotel style zip-and-link beds that can be configured as either super-king/ king-size or twins (our crisp white cotton bed linen means they're extra comfy) and tea, coffee, milk, scones and home-made plum and vanilla jam are there to help guests get into the swing of things as soon as they arrive. Our younger guests are not forgotten either with loads of kit (cots, high chairs, bed guards, stair gates etc. etc.) in both cottages to help mums and dads travel light(er); there and some toys, books, dvds, children’s TV channels and games too! The Salty Dog even has a play room where the table football is enjoyed as much (if not more!) by our more mature guests as it is by the smaller guests we originally had in mind.

By Carol Brazel, May 29 2018 01:39PM

View of Rye from the Riverside Footpath

Rye, a quaint little town whose appearance has changed little over the last hundred years, is about 3 miles from The Salty Dog and Rock Lobster Holiday Cottages, a walk that’s enjoyed by many of our guests (both with or without dogs). If you only want to walk one way then the bus offers a easy way either there or back.

Along the Coastal Cycle Path…

This is the easiest and shortest route. On leaving Whitesands turn right towards Rye and pick up the National Cycle Network Route 2 just after the last few houses on the right hand side. The cycle path follows the course of the road for the most part, dipping inland a couple of times until crossing the road just after the sailing lake and cutting across the sheep fields, on a tarmac path, arriving at Rye at the road bridge. To walk into the town cross the road bridge and walk across the park aiming at a narrow tarmac path between the bowling green and the toilets. Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and take a wide, steep path into Rye arriving on the High Street by Knoops where you can stop for a well deserved hot chocolate - my favourite is a dark chocolate infused with chilli.

A desserted Camber Sands Beach

Along the Beach and the Harbour Mouth…

Follow the beach to the west (right) all the way along to where the river Rother meets the sea then turn inland to follow the river bank as far as the Harbour Master’s House.

The Footpath between the River Rother and the Golf Course.

Keeping the fence to the golf course on your right continue on the path to the right of the Harbour Master’s House then continue to follow the footpath signs turning slightly left and keep to a raised grassy path along the edge of the estuary. This section of the walk offers some lovely views of Rye. The path arrives at Rye by the bridge.

Along the Old Tram Line…

Leaving Whitesands turn right and at The Gallivant, cross over the road into the large, grassy Western car park. Walk to the right back corner and follow the path towards the beach for a few meters. You will see a kissing gate on your right leading to the golf course with a sign showing the route of the Old Tram Line which once brought passengers from Rye out to Camber. I fear that those arriving at Camber then must have been quite bemused as the tram station was in the middle of the dunes and quite a walk from Camber itself!

The Old Tram Station at Rye Golf Links.

Go through the kissing gate and follow the tramline path across the golf course aiming for a square shelter in the middle distance. It’s a level path and dogs do not need to be a on leads provided they are under control, but beware, there are rabbits and flying golf balls! The path takes you to the river Rother where you pass through another gate. Here you can take a left turn to the beach or to continue into Rye take the right turn inland. Follow the path along the left (river side) of the golf course fence and then keeping right on to the Old Golf Links Tram Station, a brightly painted corrugated shack. From here follow the track along the edge of the golf course towards a rather nice house, the boat yard is on your left. Continue on the path with the river to your left and the sailing lake to your right. When you reach the end of the lake just past a concrete wartime pillbox follow the cycle path for the final stretch through the sheep field and eventually arriving at the bridge on the edge of Rye.

Rye has an abundance of cafès, pubs, tea and coffee shops, many of which are dog friendly, amongst our favourites are:

By Carol Brazel, Feb 14 2018 04:03PM

You might think that renting a holiday cottage or apartment is the perfect break with babies and toddlers, until that is you start to think of all that kit you need to pack into the car!

What about sterilising the bottles?

Our places have electric steam sterilisers which are tested regularly and replaced as necessary.

What about all the nappies I’ll have to fit into the car?

Order nappies with your supermarket delivery and while your on-line you can order groceries so the only shopping you need to do while on holiday is fresh local produce from the quay and farm shop.

What about mealtimes?

Mealtimes should be a time to enjoy time together as a family. We provide high chairs (and booster seats) and the floors in the kitchen and dining areas are wipe-down (tiles or wood). You will also find plastic plates, bowls, beakers and cutlery (possibly the same as you have at home, let’s face it, most families with children have something from IKEA even the Royals!) There is also a microwave, essential if you’re in a rush and a hand blender.

What about child-friendly restaurants within walking distance?

Don’t forget you are on holiday and deserve a meal out now and again. The Gallivant, just a couple of minutes walk from The Salty Dog and Rock Lobster at Camber Sands, is a lovely seaside bistro and restaurant which welcomes children. Their children’s menu is straight forward and made from scratch - not an e-number or preservative in sight! The grown-ups’ menu is great too, making the most of local ingredients. If you fancy going a little further afield, there are also many fantastic and child-friendly eating places in Rye, a little, medieval town just a few minutes away by car.

Of course, if you are staying at Sea Fizz, Brighton has many child-friendly restaurants, some familiar and some new. Brighton Marina itself has Pizza Express, TGI Fridays, Cafe Rouge, Zizzi and many more.

What about bath-time?

A non-slip bathmat is provided in each property. You will also find a few bath-friendly toys. We do, of course, provide towels for all our guests, including babies.

What about bedtime?

There are two travel cots at each property. We don’t provide cot linen as we have found that most babies seem to prefer their own blankets, sheets, snuggle bags, whatever. There are also a bed guards available for toddlers who still like a bit of extra security. In The Salty Dog and Rock Lobster you will find baby monitors so you can enjoy a relaxing evening while your baby sleeps upstairs. Sea Fizz is much smaller so you should be able to hear you baby in the bedroom while you relax in the lounge or on the balcony. You will also find a selection of bed-time stories to share at all our holiday homes.

What about the stairs?

Sea Fizz is on one level so there are no stairs and at The Salty Dog and Rock Lobster there are stair gates at the top and bottom of each flight of steps.

I am potty training my toddler. Will that be an issue?

There is a toddler step at each property to help little ones climb onto the loo or reach the basin. There is also a potty so you don’t need to bring your child’s own.

Is there space for me to “park” my pram/ buggy?

The Salty Dog and Sea Fizz have a garage right by the front door in which you can store equipment/ bikes whatever. Even with an average sized car inside, you will still have room for a buggy. At Rock Lobster there is a large secure shed in the back garden.

Will I need to bring a lot of toys with me?

All babies and children naturally have their own favourite toys and I’m afraid you will probably not be able to avoid bringing some of those! However, you will find a selection of good quality, well-maintained toys in both properties. Things like Mega-Bloks, puzzle trays, shape sorters and books. At The Salty Dog and Rock Lobster you will also find buckets and spades other outdoor toys for use in the garden and on the beach. In the cosy playroom, adjacent to the kitchen at The Salty Dog, children have their own TV and DVD selection a small sofa, some bean bags and a much wider selection of toys, books and games. There’s also table football which nobody is too old for!

But we’ve got twins!

Not a problem! At all our holiday homes there are two travel cots, two high chairs and two booster seats. We have even had triplets stay at The Salty Dog, we do need a few days notice for this though to get the extra cot/ highchairs sorted.

By Carol Brazel, Jan 12 2018 04:04PM

Daisy has made loads of new friends and the trips out with them...well, Daisy has been everywhere, as the photos we receive (please keep them coming, we love them) and the notes in our guest books reveal.

She has gone to Camber Sands beach with nearly all of her new mates, but that’s not really surprising as all the dogs that stay in our Camber cottages just love those miles of sand and dunes to frolic in. But she has also been for rides on the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, to our local pub The Owl, Knoops in Rye for hot chocolate, various tea shops, the Pilot at Dungeness for perhaps the best fish and chips in the south east and climbed the church tower in Rye for an amazing view over the rooftops across to the marshes. She does so like an outing!

Talking of guests’ photos, we have just selected the winner of our 2017 Daisy Dog photo competition. We loved all of your photos, but this one was soooo cute! Maisie, Daisy’s little furry friend, has moved in with our winner who can now enjoy a crazy day with her very own Maisie Dog whenever she wants. Hopefully Maisie and Daisy will meet up again in 2018.

Well 2017 was a really exciting year for Daisy Dog, the cuddly soft toy dog that has greeted all of our small guests and kept them company during their stays at our places, The Salty Dog and Rock Lobster at Camber Sands and Sea Fizz in Brighton.